Golf

Woods finds focus, takes lead

World Golf Championship title is nearly as prestigious as it gets.

By BOB HARIG
Published March 24, 2007

MIAMI - For the most part, their minds are on the task at hand. A World Golf Championship title is nearly as prestigious as it gets, and the $8-million purse is among the biggest on tour.

But Tiger Woods probably put it best when asked before the CA Championship if his mind was on the Masters in two weeks.

"If anybody can name any tournaments - whether it's Jack Nicklaus or Arnold (Palmer) or (Ben) Hogan or whatever they want, how many tournaments they won, how many tournaments they finished second in and where they won them, not too many people can name those numbers," Woods said.

"But you ask them how many majors they have won, the majority of the people can name that."

Of course, Woods is never one to mail it in, as he proved again Friday, shooting 6-under-par 66 on the Doral Blue Monster course to take a two-shot lead over Australia's Rod Pampling through 36 holes.

Woods needed just 26 putts a day after taking a frustrating 32 and had 10 one-putt greens and no bogeys.

That helped him get to 137, 7 under. Pampling shot 69, with Charles Howell (71), Ernie Els (70), Zach Johnson (68), Thomas Bjorn (72), Aaron Baddeley (71), Trevor Immelman (68) and first-round co-leader Henrik Stenson (73) at 140. The other first-round leader, Robert Allenby, was tied for 10th and four back after 74.

Woods is correct in that the number of majors comes to mind much more quickly than victories in other events.

Nicklaus won 18 majors, but most would be hard-pressed to come up with how many times he won at Doral (in 1972 and 1975 - both times he went on to win the Masters).

Woods will be going for his fifth Masters and 13th major title April 5-8, numbers most golf fans can get their arms around. But do they know how many World Golf Championship events he has won (12)? Or how many CA Championships (five)?

He is not alone in at least taking a peek ahead.

"All thoughts are on the Masters now," said Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who was tied for 20th, six shots back. "This is a big event, but I think everyone's thoughts are on Augusta. The key to this week is to try to play well and if you get into contention, there is added focus. If you don't get into contention, then you are looking ahead to Augusta."

Two in the 73-player field (no cut) have a good shot but still have some work to do before thinking about the Masters. Mark Calcavecchia, who won the PODS Championship at Innisbrook on March 11, and Mark Wilson, who captured the Honda Classic on March 5, will get an invitation to Augusta National if they are among the top 10 money winners on the PGA Tour on Sunday night.

Calcavecchia is seventh and appears to be in good shape, but Wilson could be in trouble at ninth. He was tied for 39th - with Geoff Ogilvy and Woods right behind him on the money list. Ogilvy was tied for 10th on the leaderboard and both are in excellent position to pass Wilson. While they are already in the Masters, it would knock Wilson out.

"If I get into Augusta, I'll be thrilled," Wilson said. "If I don't, then I'll go home for two weeks after playing five straight. Whatever the plan, I'm happy."

Bob Harig can be reached at (727) 893-8806 or harig@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 23, 2007, 23:55:44]